Equispartans

As the “Pelican” flew off, Cadance could see that the “Covenant” ships were landing craft of their own outside the Empire’s limits. As they landed, they also seemed to be dropping smaller purple vehicles that, when landed, immediately began shooting a purple blue energy at the shield that Cadance had put up. As they continued firing, a large flock of what seemed to be birds came out of the Covenant’s lead ship. As they came near the shield, they shot green blasts of energy at it, seemingly to no effect. Cadance looked around and saw that the normally stalwart Crystal Guard was starting to panic. She then looked at Twilight, who was watching the battle with interest, not fear or panic.

“Twily, since YOU seem to be so cool and collected in this situation, what should we do?” Cadance said, breaking the silence.

“Well, first we should get everypony out of here and to a safe place. Probably the stadium. Make sure that the UNSC can get through the shield,” Twilight said, looking Cadance in the eye.

“I see. Make sure that happens!” she yelled to the guards, the armored ponies saluting and rushing out. As Twilight, Cadance, and Shining Armor walked off the balcony, they didn’t notice the being that watched them. The Promethean Knight Lancer watched as they walked off.

“They will need my help,” he thought to himself, “But not now. When the time is right.” The knight gave the command and a Promethean Watcher floated out of his back.

“Make sure they stay safe,” the Lancer told the Watcher, the machine floating off.

Inside Pelican-1709, Chris watched as Twilight escorted her sister and brother off the balcony. Chris turned and sat down, looking at Grant.

“Think they'll be ok?”

“They will be.”

As he sat down, Crimson got a comm signal.

“What is it, Commander Palmer?”

“The Covies have broken the line and they’re making it through the shield. They have a bomb set up at some sort of sports stadium. AND they’re holding civilians hostage there. Fireteams Crimson, Icebreaker, Majestic, Ivy, and Tiger, defuse that bomb and rescue those civilians. Palmer out.”

“Pilot! Let’s get moving!”

As the Pelican turned towards the stadium, the Pelicans moving Majestic, Ivy, and Tiger joined Crimson’s Pelican. As they neared the stadium, Shade Turrets opened up, buffeting the Pelicans.

“Pilot! Get us under those guns!” Chris yelled.

“Yes sir!”

As the Pelicans dived, they didn’t notice that a Promethean Watcher was following them. As it followed them, the Knight Lancer was close behind, teleporting rapidly to keep up with the Pelicans.

“Now is the time,” he thought to himself.

As the Pelicans set down near the stadium entrance, the Elites, Jackals, and Grunts kept the terrified Crystal Ponies on their feet by occasionally shooting near them, causing them to yelp in panic, giving them a laugh. As Hunters brought the bomb in, the lead Elite turned and got a faceful of Hard Light as a reward. A Grunt turned, noticed the Promethean Knight, and ran, alerting every pony and Covenant to the Knight’s Presence.

“Surprise,” he said in perfect Sangheili to the Elites before he opened fire with his Light Rifle.

As the Marines and Spartans entered the stadium, Chris heard the all-too-familiar sounds of a Light and Binary Rifle fire. It then stopped, followed by the clashing of energy swords. As he walked in, he saw the unthinkable; a Promethean Knight engaging an Elite Zealot in a sword duel. As they clashed, the Marines focused on evacuating civilians while Grant worked on defusing the bomb.

“Chris! I can’t get this thing defused! It’s Forerunner!” Grant yelled.

Chris hurried over and sat next to Grant, who was working furiously.

“Maybe, I can help.”

They turned and saw the Knight, who had slain the Elite, walking over.

“Did you just speak?” Grant said incredulously.

“Yes, but now is not the time for pleasantries. Let me have a try.”

“Sure, but no funny business.”

“As you wish,” the Knight said, setting to work on the bomb.

“As I thought. This requires a Promethean’s touch,” he said as he disarmed the bomb. ‘We must go. The Elites will be back soon, and I doubt they will be happy.”

Chris and Grant nodded and radioed in for Pelicans to evacuate civilians to outside the Empire.

As they were about to leave, there was a small tap on the Knight’s leg. A Crystal filly offered a small flower, then it said quietly, “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome,” the Knight said as he fastened the flower to a newly formed pouch on his torso. The filly then smiled and ran off.

“Cute kid,” Grant quipped.

‘“Let’s move!” Chris yelled, the Marines and the Knight heading back to the Pelican . The Marines were unsure of the Knight, but they trusted Grant and Jason. As the Pelican flew off to join the battle, the Watcher followed its master closely.

Inside, while Chris was on the radio with Commander Palmer, the Knight sat down.

“First time I actually sat with a Promethean that wasn’t trying to kill me,” Grant quipped.

“First time I sat with a reclaimer,” the Knight said, and as they shook hands, the Pelican regrouped with the other Pelicans as they flew to the front lines. Little did they know that the Crystal filly and her parents watched as they flew off.

“May the blessing of the Crystal Heart be with you,” she said quietly before running to her parents.

As if hearing it on board the Pelican, the Knight whispered quietly, “And with you, for we all may yet be spared.”